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Simon Corbell speaks at Global Wind Day (titter) event

Minister for the Environment and Sustainable Development, Simon Corbell, spoke yesterday at the Global Wind Day event held at Parliament House to help celebrate renewable energy.

“Renewable energy is the future for Canberra as we work toward achieving the ACT’s ambitious 90%-by-2020 renewable energy target for the territory,” Mr Corbell said.

“The ACT government is excited to be able to create a clean energy economy for the territory.

“Our commitment as a government is to establish large-scale renewable energy generation through avenues such as wind and solar.

“A great example of this is the recently announced 200MW wind auction. This auction is expected to provide around 24% of the ACT’s electricity consumption – which is equivalent to approximately 80,000 Canberra households.

Canberra is on track to become the solar capital of Australia and the nation’s most climate-friendly
city. Three of the largest solar power facilities in Australia will underpin Canberra’s emergence as a renewable energy investment hub and support the continuing growth of our clean technology industries.

The cost to consumers for achieving 90% renewable energy by 2020 is expected to peak at about $4 per household per week in 2020 before declining from then on. This cost will be offset in most households by energy efficiency programs saving households about $4 per week.

The ACT’s climate change strategy continues to work to reduce the territory’s greenhouse
gas emissions.

The picnic event celebrated Global Wind Energy Day and is organised by the Coalition for Community Energy, WWF Australia, Friends of the Earth and Infigen Energy.